Traditional BSN

The professional nursing curriculum provides undergraduate education for students wishing to prepare for a career as a professional nurse. Graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse.

It's time to apply to the upper division! Be sure you are familiar with our application process and timeline by visiting our AUCON Application Information page

Here are a few recommendations to be prepared to apply on-time and be competitive.

1. Make sure you will meet eligibility by the end of summer term

Eligibility for traditional BSN Upper Division

-Applicants must have completed at least 3 of the following science pre-requisite courses within the past 5 years to be eligible to apply.

BIOL 1020/1021 CHEM 1030/1031 BIOL 2500/2501 BIOL 2510/2511 BIOL 3200/3201

-Applicants must have no more than 10 pre-nursing hours outstanding at the end of the fall semester in which they are applying.

-Applicants must have an academic attainment average of a 3 or higher at the time of application. You can use resources on our

AUCON Application Information page to calculate your academic attainment average.

-Applicants must complete all pre-requisite courses with a “C” or higher prior to admission to the upper division program.

2. Be familiar with the application timeline and have prepared documentation. You can find more information on preferred documentation by looking over our application workbook on our AUCON Application Information page.

3. AUCON is transparent about our formula and desired characteristics. These can be found on the AUCON Application Information page.

4. USE YOUR RESOURCES. Auburn University and Auburn Nursing has provided several resources for you to improve your competitiveness when applying, a few of those resources are listed below.

- Interview Help: Quinnica

- Nursing Advising Canvas Page

- AUCON Academic Advisors

- AUCON Application Workbook

Clinical locations vary from large hospitals to small rural clinics to provide students experience with diverse patient populations. Clinical locations include, but are not limited to, the Auburn-Opelika area, Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Columbus, GA, LaGrange, GA, and Atlanta, GA. Cost of travel to clinical sites is the responsibility of the student.

Desired Characteristics

Prior Healthcare Related and/or Military Experience Definition: Prior Healthcare Related Experience and/or Military experience: May include paid and unpaid work in a health or health-related field where you have patient interaction and/or actively involved in military including ROTC programs. Provide information about the length of time you spent in the experience, the types of experiences, and the patients and healthcare providers with whom you interacted. ​ We are looking for consistent patient care experience. A week shadowing or a summer internship will not likely meet the requirements to gain points in this area. ​ Shadowing Hours will not be counted. ​ Scored: Application ​ Ways to Improve Score: - Keep track of any quality health-care related experience. Write a brief description of activities covered, the facility, and dates of experience. - Internships - Externships - HOSA Clinical Hours - CNA Experience - Job working in healthcare facility

Prior Healthcare Related and/or Military Experience Definition: Prior Healthcare Related Experience and/or Military experience: May include paid and unpaid work in a health or health-related field where you have patient interaction and/or actively involved in military including ROTC programs. Provide information about the length of time you spent in the experience, the types of experiences, and the patients and healthcare providers with whom you interacted. ​ We are looking for consistent patient care experience. A week shadowing or a summer internship will not likely meet the requirements to gain points in this area. ​ ** Shadowing hours will not be counted.** ​ Scored: Application

Ways to Improve Score: -

1. Keep track of any quality health-care related experience. Write a brief description of activities covered, the facility, and dates of experience.

2. Internships

3. Externships

4. HOSA Clinical Hours

5. CNA Experience

6. Job working in healthcare facility

Academic Attainment Definition: Being academically prepared for the rigor of nursing school; demonstrates academic excellence in foundational science courses; completed courses that predict success in nursing school completion; shows excellence in study skills, time-management, and test-preparation. ​ Scored: Academic Transcripts

Ways to Improve Score:

1. Do better academically. Auburn has great academic resources for free! Use the link below to discover these resources or speak with your academic advisor.

​ https://academicsupport.auburn.edu/ ​ Here are a few examples: ​

Resilience Definition: Possessing the capacity to recover from challenges ​ Scored: Essay

Ways to Improve Score:

1. Self-Reflection: Make a list of times where you have had to tolerate a stressful situation and recover.

2. Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-flux/201810/9-ways-strengthen-your-resilience
   

Dedication Definition: Devoted and loyal to the nursing profession; goal-oriented and willing to go the extra mile when striving to achieve a goal ​ Scored: Essay & Traditional Interview ​ Ways to Improve Score:

1. Huffington Post: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/do-you-know-your-why_b_8133104

2. Volunteer in healthcare related settings- hospitals, senior centers, get first hand experiences of patient care

3. Explore specialties: Apply for internships with hospitals that host these types of program

4. Join Student Organizations- Connect with other nursing students through organizations
   

Empathy Definition: Understanding that everyone has their own perspective; ability to acknowledge the feelings of another in a respectful and non-judgmental manner ​ Brene Brown on Empathy Video ​ Scored: Traditional Interview ​ Ways to Improve Score:

1. List ways in which you have had to acknowledge feelings of others in a respectful manner.

2. NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-be-more-empathetic

3. Join organizations- connect with people who share different interests or hobbies

4. Volunteer in the community- working with people from various backgrounds fosters understanding and compassion

Leadership Through Service Definition: Feeling compelled to lead because of a belief in something larger than oneself; encouraging others to move in a direction that is best for them; having the ability to understand the impact of actions and help navigate a better course; sensitive to others needs and feelings; recognizes responsibility beyond tasks; recognizing that you have the ability to change the narrative of others ​ Scored: Traditional Interview & Application Submission ​ Ways to Improve Score:

1. Self-Reflection- Take time to reflect on your experiences in this area and how you have impacted others.

2. Get involved- Work as a team to collaborate on projects

3. Community Service- Participate in volunteer activites that benefit the community.

​

Professional Values Definition: Embracing all characteristics of a nurse including accountability, integrity, honesty, respect for others, trust, caring, and compassion. Scored: Traditional Interview ​ Ways to Improve Score:

1. Self- Reflection: List ways in which you have exemplified the professional values listed

2. Identify your core values- reflect on what is important to you as a nurse.

3. Work a part-time job or complete an internship- Gain practical experience, test your skills, and learn from professionals.

4. Attend workshops- Stay up-to-date in healthcare related topics.
   

Innovative Thinking Definition: Being able to go beyond the obvious to create a new way to problem-solve; ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasonable judgment ​ Scored: Situational Interview ​ Ways to Improve Score:

1. When solving a problem you want to be able to use critical thinking skills.

2. Explore other points of view and be creative in finding solutions.

Collaboration Definition: Working toward a shared vision while respecting others ideas and opinions; the environment is one where all are welcome and all matter​ ​ Scored: Situational Interview ​ Ways to Improve Score:

• Get involved in campus and in your community where you have to work with others toward a common goal.

Resources:

• 6 Collaboration Skills: https://blog.jostle.me/blog/6-collaboration-skills-and-how-to-foster-them

Oral Communication Definition: Listening to others effectively; possessing confidence; ability to build rapport and display genuine curiosity; appropriate balance between listening and speaking Scored: Traditional Interview ​ Ways to Improve Score:

1. The more familiar interviewing feels, the less anxiety you will feel Bout the process. Take advantage of online resources available from the University Career Center. The University Career Center also offer resources to improve communication like eye-contact.

2. Participating in mock interviews will help you become more aware of your interactions with others while in a group interview setting
   

Capacity for Improvement Definition: Ability to self-reflect and make adjustments in order to improve; being receptive and responsive to feedback; continually setting goals for self-improvement ​ Scored: Situational Interview ​ Ways to Improve Score: ​ Keith Webb’s 3 Ways to Self-Reflect Reflect on your experience. Think about what you did, thought, and felt at the time.

1. What did I experience during the conversation?

2. What happened inside me during the conversation?

3. Reflect on your learning. Analyze your experience and compare to the models or principles that you want to follow.

4. What does this experience say to me?

5. What can I learn? Apply to your practice. Apply your learning to your practice. Consider what options you have for the next time you face a similar situation.

6. What options do I see for the next time I encounter this situation?

7. What specifically do I intend to do based on my reflection?
   

Tuition and Fees will follow Auburn University's cost of attendance per academic year. More information on Cost of Attendance can be found HERE

A more detailed estimate of expenses for upper division students can be found below. These are in addition to Auburn University's Cost of Attendance.

Detailed Expenses by Semester

The amount that students pay in tuition and required fees represents a sizeable and important investment in their future. However, student payments alone do not cover the full cost of providing any of Auburn's educational programs. Even after state appropriations are included, some programs require funding through additional fees in order to provide a high-quality learning environment that students expect. Like the basic tuition and fees, these additional amounts help to cover not only the direct costs of providing instruction and advising in these programs but also indirect costs associated with Auburn's role as a comprehensive center of higher education for the state.

After applying and being accepted to Auburn University, students must complete a second application to the AUCON Upper Division. The Upper Division application will be available in the fall semester each year. Deadlines will be posted when applications open.

Applicants must meet eligibility by the end of summer term.

1. Applicants must have completed at least three of the following science pre-requisite courses within the past 5 years to be eligible to apply. BIOL 1020/1021 CHEM 1030/1031 BIOL 2500/2501 BIOL 2510/2511 BIOL 3200/3201
   

2. Applicants must have no more than 10 pre-nursing hours outstanding at the end of the fall semester in which they are applying.
   

3. Applicants must have an academic attainment average of a 3 or higher at the time of application. You can use resources on our AUCON Application Information page to calculate your academic attainment average.
   

4. Applicants must complete all pre-requisite courses with a “C” or higher prior to admission to the upper division program.
   

5. AUCON is transparent about our formula and desired characteristics. These can be found on the AUCON Application Information page.

1. STEP 1: Be admitted to Auburn University. This can take up to four weeks. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible in order to avoid any delays in applying to our upper division. All students must have an Auburn email address before receiving the link to the application.

2. ​STEP 2: The application opens in Fall semester each year to be considered for the following summer and fall semesters. Check the website for specific application open dates as well as deadlines.

3. ​STEP 3: You will be required to submit a short answer response, prior healthcare related and/or military experience, and servant leadership experience at the time of application.

4. ​STEP 4: Interviews for those not accepted in first round will begin in September. The interview will consist of three parts: traditional, situational and personal essay. Round 2 Admission will be sent mid-October.

5. ​STEP 5: If you are admitted, make sure you register for the appropriate courses for speing semester and maintain requirements of your conditional admitted status. If you are not admitted, you will need to meet with your advisor to discuss alternate pathways to nursing.

What happens if you aren't admitted into Auburn Nursing? What are your next steps? A Parallel Plan is a plan set in place to help you take those next steps. There are a variety of pathways to become a nurse. Below are just a few options.

​

Option 1: Change your Major at Auburn University

Common Majors:

- Human Development Family Studies (College of Human Sciences)

- Exercise Science (College of Education-Kinesiology)

- Nutrition (College of Human Science)

- Health Service Administration (College of Liberal Arts)

​

Accelerated Degree:

- University of Alabama Birmingham

- University of South Alabama

​

Option 2: Apply to other Nursing Schools

- Jacksonville State University

- Troy University

- University of South Alabama

Option 3: AUCON Concurrent Degree

This degree pathway is a partnership with Alabama Community Colleges with nursing programs to allow students in their Associate's Degree in Nursing program to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Auburn University concurrently.

Resources:

Freshmen- Fall Semester We recommend that you focus on doing well academically this semester as well as getting involved in organizations across campus. RECOMMENDED COURSES:

• BIOL 1020, 1021

• CHEM 1030, 1031

• ENGL 1100

• MATH 1120

• CORE HIST

Freshmen- Spring Semester

We recommend that you focus getting involved in organizations and in leadership positions. We recommend that you focus improving your interview skills. Work with your advisor and the career center to refine your interview skills.

RECOMMENDED COURSES:

• BIOL 2500, 2501

• ENGL 1120

• CORE HIST

• STAT 2510

• NTRI 2000

Sophomore- Fall Semester

Applications will be submitted early into fall semester. Be sure to have all necessary documents gathered and prepared to submit.

RECOMMENDED COURSES:

• BIOL 2510, 2511

• PHIL 1020 OR PHIL 1030

• CORE FINE ART

• CORE HUMANITIES

• PSYC OR SOCY

Sophomore- August

Applications for Summer/Fall 2025 will open toward the end of August and will be due before September 1.

We recommend that you use your resources, like this website and the handbook, to be as prepared to apply as possible.

Sophomore- September Round 1 decisions will be sent. If you are not admitted this round, you are automatically considered for the next round of admission if eligibility is met.

What is considered:

• Academic Attainment average through summer term

• Short Answer response submitted with application

• Any additional information submitted with your application
  

Sophomore- October Round 2 decisions will be sent. ​ If you are not admitted this round, you should implement your parallel plan or meet with your advisor to discuss alternate pathways to nursing. What is considered:

• Academic Attainment Average through summer term

• Interview Scores

• Essay Scores

• Any additional information submitted with your application

Sophomore- Spring Semester If admitted you'll need to register for the following suggested courses as well as maintain the requirements of your conditional admission RECOMMENDED COURSES:

• BIOL 3200, 3201

• CORE LIT

• CORE SOCIAL SCIENCE

• NURS 2020

• NURS 2030

• NURS 2040